Five Things We Learned from the Qatar GP

The VFC’s first visit to Qatar delivered clear winners, major setbacks, and an increasingly defined championship picture. Between dominance, early chaos, and strategic battles, Lusail showed that the 2026 season is beginning to take shape.

Fabian Szyrzik is back

It took three races, but Fabian Szyrzik has firmly re-established himself at the front of the VFC grid.

The Horizon Motorsport driver claimed his first victory since his comeback – and did so in dominant fashion. From the opening laps, Szyrzik controlled the race, never allowing his rivals to get close enough to challenge for the lead.

It was also a historic moment for Horizon Motorsport, marking the team’s first-ever VFC victory.

After a disappointing zero in Melbourne and a solid fourth place in Sepang, Szyrzik now looks fully reintegrated into VFC.

Rookie Monsters – Over Before It Began

Team Rookie Monsters were one of the biggest surprises in qualifying.Robin Moelling placed the “Buran” on the second row, while teammate Chris Gitsov reached Q2 on the Super Soft tyres.

The race, however, unraveled almost immediately.

In Turn 3, Moelling lost control of his car, triggering a chain reaction that eliminated multiple drivers. Mirco Mancini, Bastian Paisler, Alex Woitala, and Chris Gitsov were all forced to retire.

Moelling continued but could only salvage P10 and three points.

The data suggests that a top-five finish was well within reach. Instead, it was a missed opportunity for the team.

A Three-Way Title Fight Emerging

After three races, the championship battle is beginning to take shape.

At the moment, three drivers stand out: Sven Schubert, Tom Oldenmenger, and Fabian Szyrzik.

All three appear to have a slight performance advantage over the rest of the field. Schubert and Szyrzik benefit from two of the strongest cars on the grid, while VEGA and Oldenmenger seem to be focusing more on long-term development for the later stages of the season.

However, one driver should not be overlooked: Heiko Kolvenbach.The German, once described by Jörn Dicks as the “Montoya of the VFC,” remains within striking distance and ready to capitalise on any opportunity.

The title fight is wide open.

A Difficult Start for Seawolf

Seawolf NetRace Motorsport, one of the new teams in 2026, has endured a challenging start to the season.

With an experienced driver lineup in Louis Roehn and Alex Woitala, expectations were higher. However, results have not followed. In Qatar, Woitala retired after just a few corners, while Roehn finished only P16.

The car is currently considered one of the weakest in the field, despite the team operating with one of the largest development budgets.

Hope now lies in future upgrades. With the next development phase expected from Canada onwards, Seawolf will need to endure the early part of the season and aim for a significant performance step later on.

A Promising Debut in the Desert

The VFC made its debut at the Lusail International Circuit – a track that divided opinions before the race.

Some drivers praised the layout, while others were concerned about overtaking opportunities.

The race itself delivered a balanced outcome. There were several on-track battles, overtakes, and a generally competitive flow throughout the field.

Overall, the debut can be considered a success – if not a standout one.

Whether Qatar remains on the calendar beyond 2026 or the VFC continues its search for a long-term home in the Middle East remains to be seen.